The holidays are made for cookies. It’s the one time of year when butter, sugar, and sprinkles become a love language.
But here’s the thing—holiday baking doesn’t need to be stressful. You don’t need fancy tools or a culinary degree.
Just simple ingredients, a warm oven, and maybe a little Mariah Carey in the background!
What Makes a Holiday Cookie Special?
Warm, Cozy Spices
The moment you crack open a jar of cinnamon or ginger, it smells like the holidays. These warm spices aren’t just for flavor—they bring a nostalgic, comforting feeling to every bite.
Think snickerdoodles rolled in cinnamon sugar, or soft ginger cookies with a hint of clove. Nutmeg adds that subtle, earthy note that rounds it all out.
These spices turn a simple cookie into something that tastes like a hug in dessert form.
Festive Shapes and Decorations
Holiday cookies are where creativity meets butter. You’ve got stars, snowflakes, reindeer, and even the odd Santa hat if you’re feeling bold.
A basic sugar cookie becomes a canvas for icing, sprinkles, edible glitter, and candy eyes (because why not?). Kids love decorating them. Grown-ups love eating them.
And let’s be real—everyone loves posting them on Instagram. The fun is half in the baking, half in the decorating.
Perfect for Gifting and Sharing
Cookies are the ultimate holiday currency. Need a last-minute gift? Boom—cookie tin. Want to say thank you to a neighbor, teacher, or delivery driver? Drop off a dozen.
They’re affordable, homemade, and come straight from the heart (and oven). Plus, they’re easy to package in festive boxes, jars, or even wrapped in a napkin with twine if you’re going rustic.
Built-In Memory Makers
Some of the best holiday memories don’t happen around the tree—they happen around the mixing bowl. Baking cookies with family or friends is messy, loud, and totally unforgettable.
There’s something about licking the beaters, sneaking chocolate chips, or accidentally using salt instead of sugar (hey, it happens) that creates memories that stick.
These cookies aren’t just sweet treats—they’re little time capsules of holiday joy.
1. Classic Sugar Cookies
These are perfect for cut-outs, decorating parties, or gifting. Buttery, soft, and sturdy enough for frosting fun.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Customization Ideas:
Use cookie cutters in festive shapes. Decorate with royal icing, sprinkles, or edible glitter. Add food coloring to the dough for a colorful base. Chill the dough for 30–60 minutes before rolling for the best results.
2. Chewy Ginger Molasses Cookies
Warm, spiced, and chewy with deep molasses flavor—these cookies practically smell like Christmas.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup molasses
- 2 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ¼ cup granulated sugar (for rolling)
Customization Ideas:
Roll in coarse sugar for crunch. Add a pinch of black pepper or nutmeg for extra warmth. You can also drizzle with melted white chocolate or sandwich with marshmallow cream.
3. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies
Crackly on the outside, fudgy on the inside—like brownies dressed up for the holidays.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup vegetable oil
- 4 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ¾ cup powdered sugar (for rolling)
Customization Ideas:
Add mini chocolate chips for extra gooeyness. Mix in peppermint extract for a minty twist. Roll in cinnamon sugar for a unique variation.
4. Peanut Butter Blossoms
Soft peanut butter cookies crowned with a Hershey’s Kiss. Nostalgic, quick, and totally addictive.
Ingredients:
- 1 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- 24–30 Hershey’s Kisses (unwrapped)
- Additional granulated sugar for rolling
Customization Ideas:
Use crunchy peanut butter for added texture. Swap the Kiss with a chocolate star or mini peanut butter cup. Roll dough in colored sanding sugar for festive flair.
5. Snickerdoodles
Tangy, chewy, and rolled in cinnamon sugar—these cookies are comfort in every bite.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
Cinnamon-Sugar Coating:
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tbsp ground cinnamon
Customization Ideas:
Add a pinch of nutmeg to the coating mix. Dip baked cookies in white chocolate and sprinkle with crushed peppermint. For thicker cookies, chill the dough for 30 minutes before baking.
6. Thumbprint Jam Cookies
These buttery, melt-in-your-mouth cookies are simple but feel fancy. The thumbprint center makes them perfect for showing off bright jams or festive fillings.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup fruit jam or preserves (raspberry, strawberry, apricot work well)
Customization Ideas:
Swap jam for lemon curd, Nutella, or caramel. Add almond extract to the dough for a nuttier flavor. Press with a small spoon instead of your thumb for more even centers. Dust with powdered sugar for a snowy look.
No-Bake Chocolate Oat Cookies
Stovetop cookies in under 15 minutes? Yes, please. These chewy, chocolaty bites are great when the oven’s already packed—or when you just don’t feel like baking.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- ½ cup milk
- ½ cup unsalted butter (1 stick)
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ cup peanut butter (creamy or crunchy)
- 3 cups quick oats
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Customization Ideas:
Mix in shredded coconut, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts. Use almond butter instead of peanut butter. Drizzle with white chocolate or top with crushed peppermint for a holiday twist.
8. Chocolate-Dipped Shortbread
Shortbread is the elegant little black dress of holiday cookies—simple, rich, and timeless. Dip them in chocolate and you’ve got a showstopper with almost no effort.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp salt
- 6 oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate (for dipping)
Customization Ideas:
Top dipped edges with crushed peppermint, sprinkles, or chopped nuts. Shape dough into rounds, rectangles, or snowflakes. Add citrus zest to the dough for brightness (orange + dark chocolate = holiday magic).
9. Holiday M&M Cookies
These are soft, chewy, and bursting with chocolate. They’re a hit with kids and adults, and the red and green M&Ms scream holiday spirit.
Ingredients:
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 ½ cups holiday M&Ms
Customization Ideas:
Fold in mini chocolate chips or white chocolate chunks. Use mint M&Ms for a festive flavor. Press a few extra M&Ms on top of each dough ball before baking for a picture-perfect look.
10. Peppermint Bark Cookies
A holiday mashup of chocolate cookies and peppermint bark. These are rich, minty, and ridiculously festive—perfect for cookie trays or edible gifts.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- 6 oz white chocolate, melted
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Customization Ideas:
Drizzle or dip with melted white or dark chocolate. Press crushed peppermint on top before the chocolate sets. Want a shortcut? Use a boxed brownie mix for the base dough and cut into cookie rounds.
Tips for Holiday Baking Success
Holiday baking can be a blast—or a total mess—depending on your prep game. But don’t worry, a few smart moves go a long way.
Prep Dough Ahead (Most Freeze Like a Dream)
Want to save your sanity? Make cookie dough ahead of time and freeze it. Most cookie doughs (sugar, ginger, peanut butter, shortbread—you name it) freeze beautifully for weeks.
Roll dough into balls or logs, wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and pop into a freezer bag. Label with the type and date.
When you’re ready to bake, let the dough thaw slightly—or bake straight from frozen and just add a couple extra minutes to the bake time. Boom. Instant cookies with zero stress.
Use Parchment Paper for Easy Cleanup
Skip the sticky mess. Parchment paper is your best friend. It keeps cookies from sticking, makes pans easier to clean, and helps with even browning.
No parchment? Silicone baking mats work great, too. And as a bonus, they’re reusable. Just don’t forget to line your pans—because scrubbing burnt sugar off a tray is no one’s idea of festive fun.
Store Cookies Right to Keep Them Fresh
Nobody likes a stale cookie. Keep your baked goods soft, chewy, and crisp (when they’re meant to be) by storing them the right way.
Use airtight containers, and separate soft cookies from crisp ones—moisture travels, and chewy cookies will soften everything else.
Add a slice of bread or a marshmallow to the container to keep cookies soft longer. It sounds weird, but it works.
Always Make Extras (They Disappear Fast)
Let’s be real—holiday cookies have a way of vanishing. Whether it’s the kids, the coworkers, or you sneaking “just one more,” they won’t stick around long.
So go ahead and double that batch. Freeze half if you must. You’ll thank yourself when the cookie jar’s empty and you still have dough in the freezer. Trust us—future you will be doing a little happy dance.
Creative Ways to Gift Cookies
Cookies aren’t just treats—they’re tiny, edible gifts of joy. And with a little presentation magic, you can turn a humble dozen into a thoughtful, memory-making present.
Pack Them Up in Mason Jars, Tins, or Festive Boxes
First impressions count—even for cookies. Skip the plastic zip bag and go for something with holiday flair. Mason jars are a charming, rustic option and look gorgeous layered with different cookie types.
Cookie tins are classic for a reason—they stack well, protect your baked goods, and come in every design imaginable (snowflakes, snowmen, retro Santas—take your pick).
You can also grab festive paper boxes or mini bakery-style treat boxes online or at craft stores. Line them with parchment or tissue paper to keep cookies snug and break-free.
Add Handwritten Tags or Little Recipe Cards
People love a personal touch. A simple handwritten tag with “Baked with love” or “Happy Holidays from the Smiths” adds instant warmth.
Want to go the extra mile? Include a mini recipe card so they can try making the cookies themselves.
You can write it on kraft paper, tuck it into the box, or tie it on with twine. Bonus points for adding a quick note like “Best dunked in coffee” or “We dare you to eat just one.” It turns a treat into an experience.
Pair with Hot Cocoa Mix, Tea Sachets, or a Cozy Mug
Cookies + cozy drink = the ultimate winter combo. Amp up your cookie gift by adding a small bag of homemade cocoa mix or a few fancy tea sachets.
You can even bundle it all into a mug or tie a spoon to the box with a ribbon. It doesn’t have to be expensive—it just needs heart. People remember how you made them feel.
And nothing says “I’m thinking of you” like cookies and cocoa in a cute little bundle.
Final Thoughts
Holiday cookies don’t need to be complicated to be special. A little dough, a dash of creativity, and a warm oven go a long way.
These easy recipes are meant to bring joy—whether you’re baking solo, with kids, or while blasting your favorite holiday playlist.
Try one, try them all. Mix, match, experiment. That’s half the fun.
Tried one of these recipes? Tag us in your cookie creations—we’d love to see what you baked up!
FAQs
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes, many of them! Most cookie recipes work well with a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—look for ones labeled “for baking.”
Sugar cookies, crinkle cookies, and even shortbread turn out great with the right mix.
Just keep an eye on the dough texture and add a splash of milk if it feels too dry. Bonus tip: chill gluten-free dough longer to help it hold its shape.
How long do these cookies stay fresh?
Most of these cookies stay fresh for 4–7 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
Soft cookies (like ginger molasses or peanut butter blossoms) stay chewy longer if you add a slice of bread or marshmallow to the container.
Crisp cookies (like shortbread or sugar cookies) last best when kept dry and separate from moist ones. You can also freeze most of them for up to 2 months.
Can kids help with these recipes?
Absolutely! These recipes are very kid-friendly. Little hands can roll dough balls, press thumbprints, add sprinkles, or dunk cookies in chocolate.
No fancy equipment, no complicated steps—just sweet fun. Sugar cookies and M&M cookies are especially great for decorating together. Expect a little mess and a lot of memories.
